President George Abela yesterday urged the political parties to “avoid any hindrance” to Constitutional reform, adding that the public should be consulted on any changes through a referendum.

“Constitutional reform is something with which all parties agree,” said Dr Abela during a courtesy visit by the Speaker of the House, Anġlu Farrugia, accompanied by Deputy Speaker Ċensu Galea and party whips David Agius (Nationalist) and Carmelo Abela (Labour).

Constitutional reform was under the spotlight recently because of Prime Minister Joseph Muscat’s controversial decision to appoint former Nationalist backbencher Franco Debono as coordinator of a Constitutional Convention.

Dr Debono had brought down the previous Nationalist Government by voting with the Labour Opposition against the Budget in November.

The Nationalist Party described his appointment as “divisive” and “insulting” and deputy leader Simon Busuttil warned it could spell the end of such reform.

Dr Abela said he hoped any hindrance would be avoided so that the political parties would be able to find a way forward on this crucial matter.

“Whether the changes are big or small, we all agree that they are needed,” he said.

“Whether they reach the formation of a Second Republic or not is not the point.”

Dr Abela also said the parties should decide the process by which such changes could be concluded and he would personally be pushing the idea of a referendum so that people could have their say.

The Nationalist Party had proposed holding a referendum on Constitutional changes in its electoral programme and the Labour Party promised to hold a Constitutional Convention, with a view of giving birth to a Second Republic.

Dr Abela also said that the third edition of the President’s Forum, which will be held on Thursday, would feature four distinguished speakers: former Speaker Michael Frendo; Ombudsman Joseph Said Pullicino; a former judge of the European Court of Human Rights Giovanni Bonello and Law Faculty dean Kevin Aquilina.

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